TERRE HAUTE, Ind. — The Springfield Sliders couldn’t hold on to a 3-2 lead, allowing four runs in the bottom of the eighth inning as they fell to Terre Haute 6-3 in a Prospect League baseball game shortened to eight innings due to weather Friday night.

Springfield starting pitcher Chris Powell held the Rex to two unearned runs on seven hits. But the Sliders’ bullpen could not protect the lead, giving up a combined four runs on three hits and three walks.

Itw as the Sliders’ fifth straight loss as they fell to 8-18 in the league’s second half and 13-43 overall.

After three scoreless innings to start the game, the Sliders had a breakout fourth With the bases loaded, Riley Spetz hit a single to drive in A.J. Fritts, and Corey Dempster followed up with another single to score Jake Ingold. A sacrifice fly by Zach Schira scored the Sliders’ third run.

But Terre Haute answered quickly to keep itself in the game.

In the bottom of the fourth, Matthew Chavarria scored on a Clayton Smithson single followed by an error, and Manuel de Jesus scored on a ground-out in the fifth inning.

Jeff Zahn and Tony Rosselli both drew walks from Sliders relief pitcher Sawyer Howard to start the bottom of the eighth, and three consecutive Terre Haute hits drove them in. A bases-loaded walk to Clayton Smithson followed by a fielder’s choice drove in two more runs.

This was the Sliders’ last road game of the season. They will return to Robin Roberts Stadium Saturday night for another game against Terre Haute.